Submitted by [deleted] t3_z79b51 in philadelphia
this_shit t1_iy5h57h wrote
IMHO the city is backsliding into a leadership crisis where in any given process, the number of vetos has proliferated and the (career) cost to anyone who tries to push a project through is too high. That's a perfectly natural thing to happen in a bureaucracy, but it needs to be countered by strong leaders who can articulate a vision that motivates the rest of the people in the process to come along.
So far as I've seen, none of the declared candidates have identified this problem by name. I'm worried that many of the candidates who have spent time on city council are too comfortable with the current power-sharing arrangements to upset the cart, so I am generally counting council experience against them.
There are a number of candidates running more or less as "reformers," including Allan Domb (who's business acumen is countered by his years of support for councilmanic prerogative while on council), Rebecca Rhynhart (who's reformer credentials look great, but as the city Controller that's also literally her job), and Jeff Brown (who would make a stronger case if not for his nakedly self-interested opposition to the soda tax).
As of right now, I'm leaning towards Rhynhart. But there's a number of major issues the candidates have been silent on (is anyone going to say anything about the state legislature trying to unilaterally remove democratically-elected Philly officials, for example?). So I'm keeping open ears.
flamehead2k1 t1_iy5lz69 wrote
> Jeff Brown (who would make a stronger case if not for his nakedly self-interested opposition to the soda tax).
Jeff is my least favorite of the three but I don't blame the guy for opposing the tax even if it is personal.
The tax itself was personal for Johnny Doc get back at teamsters.
I'm a Rhynhart fan but she's going to have to get some alliance with one of the other two as to not split the vote against the machine.
this_shit t1_iy65hfn wrote
Re: Brown, I don't blame someone for opposing a policy that hurts their bottom line, and it's totally fair to run against it. But I hold a grudge against businesses that can't take the L and move on, esp once it's already been litigated through multiple election cycles (Williams got a big part of his support from anti-soda tax PACs). At some point businesses have to respect democratic will. This whole concept that corporations should have a voice in democratic processes is toxic to our society.
As a principle, I think it's unseemly for business owners to run for office to pursue policies that will profit them. If Brown wants to run he should sell off his stores (of course we'll never get that norm back now that Trump shattered it). Same issue with Domb, tbf. It pains me that some of the most compelling candidates are so fundamentally compromised.
I agree about Rhynhart, she's a longshot but interesting. My sense is that we shouldn't count out Gym, Sanchez, or Parker. Green has like no path, right?
flamehead2k1 t1_iy7pzm7 wrote
I don't think he should have to sell off his businesses.
There are plenty of conflicts of interest elsewhere. Soda tax is a great example given Johnny Doc's influence and subsequent corruption conviction.
this_shit t1_iy8ed0q wrote
Yeah I mean that's kind of my point. I would love if our politics were about running the city and not various hyperlocal industry groups fighting over the scraps.
Philly's local government hasn't even been captured by growth industries - real estate and construction (two local industries you can't kill) are the main sources of local political power. Groceries are likewise not a growth industry.
Re: Brown, I know other people are corrupt, but it's uncompelling to claim to be a reformer while embracing a baseline level of overt corruption. I think that hurts the case for reform more than even an ideal reformer could advance it.
flamehead2k1 t1_iy8fzew wrote
My point is that you seem more focused on potential corruption by Brown than actual corruption by the people that developed the tax.
Demanding divestment is an unfair expectation and doesn't address the main drivers of corruption in the city, labor connections and council prerogative.
uptown_gargoyle t1_iy5mg88 wrote
I'm undecided on Brown and on the soda tax, but it's also not nakedly self-interested. He's known for opening grocery stores in food deserts despite it being more profitable to operate stores in more affluent areas, and on the basis of that specific business experience he says the soda tax creates even more obstacles for people who want to open grocery stores in Philly food deserts.
Lucretian t1_iy6inb7 wrote
I like Rhynhart on paper but that print interview she did recently left me a little underwhelmed. Have to see what she’s like when speaking.
this_shit t1_iy6j74q wrote
Ooh, link?
Lucretian t1_iy6kb9q wrote
Here it is:
https://montco.today/2022/10/rebecca-rhynhart-controller-philadelphia/
Let me explain what I meant. She seems to have the intellect, tenacity and integrity for the job. But as you noted, mayors by necessity have to be coalition builders. Her talent for that aspect of the position didn’t jump off the page. But print can obscure a person’s charm. So I’d like to hear her speak.
this_shit t1_iy6u3h3 wrote
Thanks!
I agree - she didn't explain her approach very well. But I also thought that interview was very awkward and poorly paced. They could have spent less time on background and more time on how she plans to accomplish her goals.
muricaball76 t1_iy5mbgx wrote
I think this is what I’m most likely characterizing myself as, open to different candidates but leaning towards either Rhynhart or Brown
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